Style Persona: Asteria
A style persona is an inspired version of who we are and how we want to look. It acts as a well-defined filter that makes shopping and outfit decisions easy. The best way to create one is to get to know yourself deeply, so the resulting image reflects how you want to feel, what you wish for yourself, and what is important to you. I am always excited when we make a jacket that is infused with personal meaning because it becomes something the client will wear more, care for, and keep. As a brand, my style persona ensures visual consistency across the collection and is a check point I reference when designing new jackets.
I was introduced to the style persona concept through Dearly Bethany’s masterclass. Through the course, I dug deep into my history to catalogue what has and continues to inspire me personally and as a designer. She asked all the right questions to connect me with my interests, inspirations, and memories. These broader touch points were then distilled into three personas; classic French woman Elle, soft and magnetic Asteria, and creative original Alexandrite. Today I want to introduce you to Asteria because our latest release, the Deep Cut Blazer, is very much made for her.
Named after the goddess of the stars and sky, Asteria exudes a strong feminine energy that is magnetic and magical. Her posture is easy, her mind calm. She listens receptively and speaks thoughtfully, so others experience her as warm, but also a bit mysterious. She takes pleasure in life because she is grateful for what she has and makes time to take care of herself.
Asteria has feline eyes, full lips, and long hair. Her make up is soft and subtle, with an occasional flushed cheek or sheer burgundy lip. Her personal style descriptors are feminine, rock and roll, and romantic goth, with outfits often incorporating touchable textures. She pairs a satin slip with a furry coat or a fluffy oversized knit with a suede mini skirt. If she’s dressed down in jeans and a tee, she elevates it with a whisper of lace or corsetry underneath. She loves wearing wrap dresses, dark florals, and layers of delicate jewellery.
The Deep Cut Blazer in all of its velvety wonderfulness, would be the perfect addition to Asteria’s wardrobe. The deep V neckline and cinched-waist silhouette would amplify her femininity and the fabric selection would speak to her strong attraction to touchable textures. The velvet blazer feels worthy of an on-stage moment and the interior dark floral silk aligns well with the romantic goth in her.
The little moments in my life that coalesced to create Asteria include classic rock female leads of the 1970s like Heart’s Ann Wilson, who had an undeniable strength and emotion in her voice, and Stevie Nicks, who curated a magical and mysterious stage persona that I love. The latter ties in well with the abundance of witchy shows and movies of the nineties like Charmed and Practical Magic that captured my teenage imagination. A lot of the clothing Asteria wears is inspired by the work of my favourite fashion designers and their reliance on sensual material textures to deliver a message of luxury. My experience of becoming a mother was a massive and very personal inspiration for her as well. It revealed to me for the first time the true power and magic of being a woman and how understanding and embracing my femininity can amplify this strength.
Photo Credits:
1) Location: Alvord Desert, Oregon, Source: Pinterest
2) Model: Bella Hadid, Source: Pinterest
3) Source: Pinterest
4) Model: Jenny Walton, Photographer: Tommy Ton, Location: Morgenstern’s Fine Ice Cream, Source: J Crew
5) Artist: Heather Day, Photographer: Chase McBride, Source: W Magazine
6) Brand: Alexander McQueen, Designer: Sarah Burton, Collection: Resort 2022, Photographer: Chloe Le Drezen, Source: Vogue Runway
7) Photographer: Jessica Williams, Source: PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com
8) Source: Pinterest
9) Source: Pinterest
10) Source: FreePik.com
11) Location: Alvord Desert, Oregon, Source: Pinterest
12) Source: Pinterest
13) Source: Pinterest
14) Source: Pinterest
15) Bralette: For Love + Lemons
16) Source: Pinterest
17) Source: Pinterest
18) Earrings: Eldor Tina Jewelry, Source: Etsy
19) Source: Pinterest
20) Source: Unknown
21) Model: Taylor Hill, Source: Pinterest
22) Source: Pinterest
23) Source: Pinterest
24) Source: Verilin
25) Model: Bella Hadid, Source: Pinterest
26) Model: Jessica Stein, Source: Tuula Vintage
27 + 28) Jacket: Deep Cut Blazer, Photographer: Ken Heinbecker, Model: Anneke Forbes
29) Band: Heart, Singer: Ann Wilson (1976)
30) Brand: Max Mara, Designer: Ian Griffiths Collection: Fall 2019, Photographer: Delphine Achard, Source: Vogue Runway
31) Brand: Saint Laurent, Designer: Anthony Vaccarello, Collection: Pre-Fall 2022, Photographer: Rory van Millingen, Source: Vogue Runway
32) Actresses: Alyssa Milano, Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, TV Show: Charmed (1998)
33) Brand: Berluti, Designer: Haider Ackermann, Collection: Fall 2018, Photographer: Marcus Tondo, Source: Vogue Runway
34) Actress: Nicole Kidman, Movie: Practical Magic (1998)
35) Band: Fleetwood Mac, Singer: Stevie Nicks
36) Brand + Designer: Tom Ford, Collection: Fall 2017, Source: The Fashionisto
